Striatal adenosine A receptor neurons control active-period sleep via parvalbumin neurons in external globus pallidus.

Dysfunction of the striatum is frequently associated with sleep disturbances. However, its role in sleep-wake regulation has been paid little attention even though the striatum densely expresses adenosine A receptors (ARs), which are essential for adenosine-induced sleep. Here we showed that chemogenetic activation of AR neurons in specific subregions of the striatum induced a remarkable increase in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.

Expression of adenosine A 2A receptors in the rat lumbar spinal cord and implications in the modulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor currents.

Background: The presence of A(2A) receptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord remains controversial. At this level, activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors induces wind-up, which is clinically expressed as hyperalgesia. Inhibition of NMDA receptor currents after activation of A(2A) receptors has been shown in rat neostriatal neurons.